SDI Member · ANSI/SDI compliant
C purlins in Fort Lauderdale
High-strength C steel purlins in Fort Lauderdale for efficient roof and wall support in commercial and industrial construction.

Supplying C Purlins in Fort Lauderdale
Miami Metal Deck supplies C Purlins to contractors, erectors and fabricators building in Fort Lauderdale and across Broward County and the South Florida region. Our Miami Gardens facility is a short drive from Fort Lauderdale: same-day pickup and same-day South Florida delivery are available for stock items.
Coastal conditions around Fort Lauderdale make corrosion protection a priority, and G90 galvanized steel is a common choice there. Our team checks the specified finish before we quote. Projects in Fort Lauderdale are designed to the Florida Building Code's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) provisions for Broward County, so we work directly from your engineer's deck schedule and attachment details.
Product guide
Product specifications for your Fort Lauderdale project
Compare profiles, dimensions, material options and applications to prepare your order. Select a product below to explore its technical details.
C Purlin
C purlin is a popular choice for roof and wall work, giving high strength at low weight. The C-shaped profile is available from 12 GA to 20 GA across several depths and gauges, meets ANSI standards, and carries galvanized G60 or G90 finishes.
Dimensions and profile

| Property | Dimension |
|---|---|
| Commercial Name | C Purlin |
| Gauge | 12 to 20 |
| Thickness | 0.039" to 0.094" |
| Weights | 1.2 to 6.78 lbs/ft |
| Size Range | C4x2 to C12x3 |
| Web Depths | 4 to 12 inches |
| Flanges | 2 to 3 inches |
The C purlin line covers C4x2 to C12x3, with 4 to 12 inch web depths. Gauges 12 through 20 (thickness 0.039" to 0.094") bring weights of 1.2 to 6.78 lbs/ft, and flanges of 2 to 3 inches come with lip dimensions up to 0.787 inches.
Sizes, thicknesses and weights
| Purlin Size | Thickness | Weight (lbs/ft) | Gauge | Web | Flange | Lip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C12x3-12 | 0.094 | 6.78 | 12 | 12 | 3 | 0.787 |
| C12x3-14 | 0.075 | 5.4 | 14 | 12 | 3 | 0.787 |
| C10x3-12 | 0.094 | 5.48 | 12 | 10 | 3 | 0.787 |
| C10x3-14 | 0.075 | 4.37 | 14 | 10 | 3 | 0.709 |
| C8x3-12 | 0.094 | 4.87 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 0.787 |
| C8x3-14 | 0.075 | 3.86 | 14 | 8 | 3 | 0.709 |
| C8x3-16 | 0.059 | 3.02 | 16 | 8 | 3 | 0.591 |
| C6x2.5-12 | 0.094 | 3.83 | 12 | 6 | 2.5 | 0.709 |
| C6x2.5-14 | 0.075 | 3.03 | 14 | 6 | 2.5 | 0.669 |
| C6x2.5-16 | 0.059 | 2.41 | 16 | 6 | 2.5 | 0.630 |
| C6x2.5-18 | 0.047 | 1.94 | 18 | 6 | 2.5 | 0.591 |
| C5x2-12 | 0.094 | 3.19 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 0.630 |
| C5x2-14 | 0.075 | 2.5 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 0.630 |
| C5x2-16 | 0.059 | 1.99 | 16 | 5 | 2 | 0.591 |
| C5x2-18 | 0.047 | 1.59 | 18 | 5 | 2 | 0.591 |
| C5x2-20 | 0.039 | 1.35 | 20 | 5 | 2 | 0.591 |
| C4x2-20 | 0.039 | 1.20 | 20 | 4 | 2 | 0.472 |
| C4x2-18 | 0.047 | 1.41 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 0.472 |
| C4x2-16 | 0.059 | 1.76 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 0.512 |
| C4x2-14 | 0.075 | 2.21 | 14 | 4 | 2 | 0.512 |
| C4x2-12 | 0.094 | 2.82 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 0.512 |
Gauges and thicknesses
| Gauge | Bare steel thickness (in) | Weight (lbs/ft) | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 0.094 | Up to 6.78 lbs/ft | Heavy structural applications, large spans. |
| 14 | 0.075 | Up to 5.4 lbs/ft | Standard commercial structural support. |
| 16 | 0.059 | Up to 3.02 lbs/ft | Medium-duty roof and wall support. |
| 18 | 0.047 | Up to 1.94 lbs/ft | Light-duty applications. |
| 20 | 0.039 | Up to 1.35 lbs/ft | Light framing and small spans. |
Gauges 12 through 20 let you match the purlin to the load and span. The heavier gauges (12 and 14) suit large structural applications and heavy roofing loads, while 18 and 20 gauge fit lighter framing and short spans where weight and cost matter most.
Finishes and coatings
| Finish | Details |
|---|---|
| Galvanized G60 | Zinc coating of 0.6 oz/ft². Recommended for general environments. |
| Galvanized G90 | Zinc coating of 0.9 oz/ft². Ideal for highly corrosive environments. |
| Prime-Painted | Provides a base coat for additional protection or paint adhesion. |
| Bare Steel | Unfinished; typically for indoor use or controlled environments. |
C purlins are supplied galvanized (G60 and G90) or prime-painted. G60 protects against corrosion in general environments, and G90 has a thicker zinc layer for coastal or high-humidity work. The prime-painted option supplies a base coat when additional coatings will follow.
Material and finish options
We roll our C purlins from 55 KSI high-strength steel and offer three choices: galvanized coatings that meet ANSI standards for corrosion resistance, painted finishes for a tailored look, and bare steel for custom uses. Each coating is chosen to improve durability and performance.
Custom lengths
Lengths start at 6′-0″ for smaller jobs and stretch to 40′-0″ for large construction. We cut each piece precisely, so the purlins fit well and little material is wasted on Fort Lauderdale job sites.
C Purlin features
High strength-to-weight ratio, easy installation, and corrosion-resistant finishes make our C purlins a good fit for industrial buildings, solar panels, agricultural structures, and commercial roofing and wall systems.
High Strength-to-Weight Ratio
Offers excellent load-bearing capacity with little weight, cutting structural dead loads and easing installation.
Easy and Fast Installation
The light, symmetrical shape shortens labor time and keeps roof and wall installation straightforward.
Galvanized or Prime-Painted Finish
Durability and corrosion resistance improve with G60/G90 galvanized or prime-painted finishes.
Ideal for Custom Applications
Suits industrial buildings, solar panels, agricultural structures, and many other commercial structural applications.
Compliance with SDI Standards
Follows Steel Deck Institute and ANSI guidelines to ensure quality and code compliance.
Versatile Design Options
Sizes C4x2 through C12x3 and gauges 12 to 20 handle a broad set of structural needs and load requirements.
Installation and connections
Installation practices
- Set C purlins perpendicular to the primary structural supports.
- Anchor each one at every support with bolts, welds, or self-drilling screws.
- Where purlins overlap, fasten them with bolts or screws at 12" o.c.
Fasteners and attachments
- Secure purlins to primary frames using ½" diameter bolts.
- Use #12 self-drilling screws at 6" o.c. along supports; at overlaps, space them at 12" o.c.
- Lapped joints take #12 self-drilling screws at 12" o.c.
Confirm the profile, gauge, span, loads and connections against your project drawings and the applicable product load tables before ordering.
Applications

Roof and Wall Structural Framing
These purlins give strong support to roofing and wall cladding on commercial and industrial buildings, and they work in vented or non-vented structures.

Mezzanine and Racking Support
Mezzanine floors and industrial racking get excellent strength here, which is ideal for warehouses and factories needing durable structural support.
Standards and product documentation
SDI (Steel Deck Institute) specifications govern the C purlin, so design and performance meet a high standard.
C Purlin questions
What is a C purlin used for?
A C purlin is a cold-formed steel member whose section looks like the letter 'C'. It serves mainly as structural support in the roofs and walls of industrial, commercial, and agricultural buildings.
Should I choose a C purlin or a Z purlin?
Choose a C purlin for simple-span applications, where its symmetrical 'C' shape gives strength and stability. A Z purlin is shaped like a 'Z' and overlaps at supports, which adds rigidity on longer continuous spans.
What gauges and materials are offered for C purlins?
Gauges 12 to 20 are offered, in galvanized steel (G60/G90) or prime-painted steel, as the project requires.
Why use C purlins?
They combine high structural strength with a lightweight profile and install easily because of their standardized design. They suit many construction types, resist corrosion when galvanized, and stay cost-efficient with low maintenance. Many Fort Lauderdale contractors choose them for that reason.
Do you make custom C purlins?
Yes. Custom C purlins can be ordered to specific length (6' to 40'), gauge, and finish, to match project specifications.
Planning your order
C Purlins supply for Fort Lauderdale
Send your project drawings or material list so our team can review quantities, profile requirements and cut lengths. We can help with takeoffs and shop drawings, then confirm pricing and delivery options for your Fort Lauderdale project.
Send your drawings for a quoteWhat to include in your quote request
- The profile, gauge and finish shown in your specifications.
- Quantities and lengths, or the drawings we can take them off from.
- The Fort Lauderdale job site address, your target delivery date and any access limits.
- Load tables, attachment details or other documents your engineer specified.
How We Work
We Guide You Through the Process
From manufacturing to delivery, we ensure precision, efficiency, and compliance with industry standards.
Takeoff and Shop Drawings Services
We provide specialized takeoff services for accurate quotations and detailed shop drawings to produce optimized cutting lists for sheets, ensuring efficient execution and waste-free outcomes in your projects.
Manufacture
We manufacture metal decks to SDI and ANSI standards, ensuring strength, durability, and compliance. We provide custom lengths and high-precision fabrication for optimized performance in roof, floor, and form deck applications.
Swift Deliveries & Nationwide Reach
While based in South Florida, we serve clients nationwide, ensuring quality, efficiency, and timely deliveries across the U.S., reflecting our commitment to excellence without boundaries.
Coverage
We serve all of Florida
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you supply C purlins in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. We deliver C purlins to Fort Lauderdale with 1-day service available. Call 305-760-2575 for pricing.
